Furnace-valve-operating mechanism.



L. C. EDGAR & A. SUTER.

FURNACE VALVE OPERATING MECHANISM.

Patented July 25, 1916.

7 SHEEI$-SHEET I.

INVENTORS APPLICATION FILED MAY 22. 1914.

L. C. EDGAR & A. SUTER.

FURNACE VALVE OPERATING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 22, 1914.

Patented July 25, 1916.

TSHEET-S-SHEET 2.

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APPLICATION F|LED MAY 22. I914.

Patented July 25, 1916.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 3- Kg INVENTOW WITNESSES L. C. EDGAR & A. SUTER.

FURNACE VALVE OPERATING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 22. 1914.

1,1 92,1 76. Patented July 25, 1916.

ISHEETS-SHEET 4.

FIG.4

WITNESSES INVENTORS L. C. EDGAR & A. SUTER. FURNACE VALVE OPERATING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 22, I914. 1 ,1 92,1 76. Patented July 25, 1916.

ISHEETS-SHEET 5.

WITNESSES L. C. EDGAR & A. SUTER.

FURNACE VALVE OPERATING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 22, 1914.

1, 1 92, 1 76. Patented July 1916.

ISHEETS-SHEET 6- WITNESSES INVENTOR 2. ZCIMM wgzzZw L. C. EDGAR & A. SUTER. FURNACE VALVE OPERATING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 22 19M.

Patented July 25, 1916.

lSHEETS-SHEET I.

INVENTORS WITNESSES UNITED STATEt-i PATENT OFFICE.

LOUIS C. EDGAR, OF SWISSVALE, AND ADOLF SUTER, OF BEAVER, PENNSYLVANA.

FURNACE-VALVE-OPEEAT ING MECHANISM.

Application filed May 22, 1914.

T0 all whom it may] concern:

Be it known that we, LOUIS C. EDGAR, of 2022 Hampton avenue, Swissvale, in the county of Allegheny andState of Pennsylvania, and. Anonr SU'rnn, of 1100 Sixth street, Beaver, inthe county of Beaver and State of Pennsylvania, have invented cer tain new and useful Improvements in Furnace-Valve-Operating Mechanisms, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to the construction and arrangement of mechanism for manipulating the valves of Siemens regenerative furnaces, and, while not restricted to such uses, the invention more particularly relates to the construction and arrangement of mechanism "used in operating and control ling the movement of the reversing and damper valves of regenerative furnaces using producer gas as fuel.

Our invention is shown as applied to valves of the lifting type, although broadly adapted for-use with any of the various known types of such valves.

One ob ect of theinvention is to provide a 'valve. operating mechanism whereby the necessity of separately and independently operating the series of valves is avoided in opening and. closing the valves, and to provide' means for simultaneously manipulating the valves and for independently adjusting each valve without interruption or" or interference with the cycle of operations followed in the valve reversing operations.

Another oh1ect of our Invention 13 to provide a valve operating mechanism having novel' means enabling the'volume nr qiiantity of hnrnc gases or products of comhnrtion passing through the air and the gas regenerators, in heating the regencrators, to

be increased or lessened.

/ A further object of the invention is to 'provide a valve operating and controlling mechanism having lmprovcd means \vherehy the quantity of the burned gases or prod -ucts of combustion used in heating the air Specification of Letters Iatent.

Patented July 25, 1916.

Serial No. 840,896.

generative furnace are made simultaneously operable in timed relation in opening and closing and are independently regulable and and closing movement of the valves.

A further object ofour invention is to provide a reversing-valve operating mechanism having means whereby, when set in motion, the series of valves are mechanically actuated to reverse the direction of flow of air and fuel gas and of the products of combustion through the regenerators and furnace and are automatically brought to rest at the end of such reversing operation.

Another object of our invention is to provide a valve operating mechanism for regenerative furnace valves, having novel means by which the valves of a series of valves are independently adjusted as to the extent of opening movement and are always opened from and returned to a fully closed position.'-

A furtherlobject of the invention is to provide a damper valveoperating'mechanism with a novel arrangement oflfiexi'ble connections for varying the stroke of the valves to change the extent of lifting movement thereof without interference with the opening and closing movements or change in the closed position of the valves.

A still further object ofthe invention is to provide a valve operating mechanism by which the travel of the air damper valves may be varied without change or interruption in the opening and closing movement of the other valves operatively connected to the operating mechanism.

Our invention still further consists in the novel arrangement and construction of parts, as will hecomevmore fully apparent in the specification and appended claims.

Referring now to the drawings forming part of this speeificatiomFignre 1 is a plan showi n ur improved valve operating mechanism as applied to the gas, air and stack fines of a regenerative open hearth furnace. Fig.5. is an elevation, partly in section, of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3'is a plan showing on an enlarged scale, the valve operating mechanism forming part ofthis invention and illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the valve opertor chambers at the opposite,

ating mechanism shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is an end elevation of the apparatus shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Fig. (5 is a sectional elevation, Showing the valves located between the air regenerator fines and the furnace stack flue, with the floating sheave construction for regulating the opening and closing movement thereof and'the operating mechanism therefor. Fig. 7 is an elevation showing, diagrammatically, the operating connections between the damper valves located between the air regenerators and the stack flue and the valve operating mechanism. Fig. 8 is a similar elevation, showing diagrammatically, the connections between the air damper valves and operating mechanism therefor. Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic elevation similar to those of Figs. 7 and 8 showing the connections between the gas valves, and

the combustion valves, and the operating mechanism for reversing and adjusting the stroke or travel of these valves. Fig. 10 is a sectional elevation on a'larger scale showing a'detail in the construction ofthe adjusting mechanism, by which the extent of movement of the gas and combustion valves isregulated and controlled. Fig. 11 is a transverse section of the same. Fig. 12 is a sectional elevation, on a larger scale showing a detail in the construction of the bell cranks forming part of the air damper valve adjusting mechanism. Fig. 1-3 is an enlarged transverse section of the same, the section being taken on the line XIII-XIII of Fig. 12-. Fig. 14 is a sectional plan on a larger scale, showing the construction of the drums and friction operating mechanism by which the damper valves for the air regenerators are adjusted. Fig. 15 is a sectional elevation of the floating sheave mechanism forming a novel part of this invention and shown as part of theair regenera tor damper'valve operating mechanism, the section being taken on the line XV-XV of "Fig. 6. Fig. 16 is aside eleva 'on showing a detail in the arrangement of the limit switches by which the operation of the driving motor is regulated and controlled.

In the accompanying drawings, the numeral 2 designates the gas regenerator chamher and 3 the air regenerator chamber at one, (the left hand), end and 4 and 5 denote respectively, the gas and air regenera- (or right hand), end of a regenerative furnace. Uptake fines, (not shown), of the usual construction, are employed at the ends of the furnace to'separately connect each of the regenerator chambers 2, 3, 4, 5 (which are located below the bottom of the furnace), with the'interior of the furnace or furnace hearth.

The gas regenerator chambers 2 and .i.

are connected by horizontal fiues 6 and 7, to

the lower ends of vertical flu-2s 8 and 9 and the air regcnerator chambers 3 and 5, by horizontal flucs 10 and ll, to the lower ends of vertical lines 1). and 13 (see Fig. The horizontal lines 10 and 11 also connect at one end, into a h rizontally extending main stack flue 1a which leads into the furnace stack 15.

Located at one side of the vertical gas flue 8 is a vertical gas flue 16 which is connected, at its lower end, by a horizontal gas fine 17, with the lower end of a vertical gasflue 18 and located atone side of the vertical gas fine 9 is a vertical gas line 19 which is connected at its lower end by a .lnu-izontal gas the 20 with the lower cud of a vertical gas flue 21. The flucs 1S and 21 are connected, at their upper ends, to overhead gas mains (not shown) by which fuel gas conducted to the furnace from the gas producers or other place of supply. Also located on, one side of the vertical lines 8 and l) are vertical flues and 23, which connect at their lower ends into horizontal thins 24 and 25. leading to the horizontally extending main stack flue 14, the flues and 24, or 22) and 25 serving alternately to coiuluct the burned gases or products of combustion from the reversing valves to the stack line 14 which is connected at its discharge end to the furnace stack 15. Each of the sets of vertical lines 8, 16, 22, and 9, if), 23 is surmounted by a reversing valve, of the lifting type, (see Fig. 2) by which the inward flow of unburned gases to the gas rcgenerators 2, 4-, and the outward flow of burned gases or products of cone bustion from the regcnerators and 4 to the stack fine 14 and stack 15, is regulated and controlled. The vertical flues 12, and 13, (Fig. 2) connected to the lines 10 and 11 leading to the air regenerator chambers 2 and 5, have air valves 28, 29 at their upper ends by which the supply of air to the air regenerators is regulated and controlled.

A vertical damper valve 30, located in the main stack fine 14: adjacent to the stack 15, is provided to regulate and control the stack draft on the furnace. Similar damper valves 31 and 32 provide means in the fines 10 and 11 to shut off either of these lines from the main stack fine 14-, the closed one of the lines 10, or 11 being used at such time to supply air to the air regenerator 3 or with which it connects and the open one affording means for conducting to the stack 15, the products of combustion from the air regenerator with which it connects.- Each the lower marginal edge of the casing 34- and for the lower edges of the valve buckets. Each valve buck-ct 1s provided with a series of lugs or cars 38 by which the buckets are fastened through adjusting rods to a yoke 39, connected to one end of a flexihlelifting or operating connection such as a rope or cable. The flanged openings in the base 33 of the valves are formed to register with the open upper ends of the of vertical'gas fines 8, 16, 22, and 9, 19, 23, the upper ends of these lines terminating at about the floor level of the pit which is located on the charging side of the furnace, beneath the cherging floor 40. The air valves '38 and are of the mushroom type and are suspended above valve rings 41 with which the vertical air fines 1-2 and 13 are capped at about the floor level of the pit. The steak damper valve 30 in the line 14 and the air dampers 31 and 32- within their respective fines 1i), and 11 are rectangular in cross section and fare sus pended within the fines so as to slide vertically therein, suitable grooves or recesses being formed in the sides of the fines to provide guideways fonthese valves. As has been stated the-"valves are located in the pit infront oi: or on the charging side of the furnace, beneath the furnace charging floor 40, and mounted upon the charging floor,

above pit, is the base 42 oi the valve opcrating mechanism forming part ul' this invention.

Secured on the base -12 of the valve operating mechanism {see l igs, 3, 4- and is a series of capped pedestal bearings 43, 44, 45, in which the crank shaft 46 rotatahlv mounted, and also ineunted on the base 42 is the worm wh ee-l casing or housing 45? for the worm and worm wheel used in actuating the crank shaft 46 of the valve operating: mechanism, this casing 47 being provided with bearings 48 and sfl'which engage and assist in" supporting the crank shaft 46. In the construction shown, the vertical axial. center of the crank shaft 443 of the operating mechanismis in the same vertical plane as the vertical center line of the main stuck flue 14 as will he seen by reference to Fig. l. r u vh lhe lower poi ion oi the casing 4'! is pro videol with bearings 50, 50, in which the driving Worn; shaft mounted, and a vJoi-m 52, formed integrally on this shaft as shown, operatively engages with theteeth of the mutilated worm wheel 53, which. is

mutilated by omitting part of the teeth on the periphery thereof, which is. keyed or otherwise fastened to the crank shaft 46 within the housing 47.

Secured on an. extension 54 of the base 42 is a reversing electric driving motor having one end of its armature shaft connected to the worm shaft 31 by a flange coupling 56. Theconunutator end of the arn'iature shaft is provided with a band brake wheel 57,

which is operatively engaged by a brake band The brake band 58 is secured to the extension 54 of the base 42 and is opera-- tively connected to the core of u solenoidfif) also mounted on the extension 5-1. The crank shaft 46 is provided with a crank (30, by which the combustion valve buckets G1 and G2, which close the vertical fines and leading from the gas valves to the sterk ilues 2-1, 25, are actuated, and with a crank (33, by which the gins valve buckets ($4. and 65,

for closing the two vertical flues 16 and 19 which connect the fuel gas fines 18 and 21 with the gas rcgencrator lines 6 and are actuated. The shaft 46 is also provided near one end with a double grooved sheave wheel (36, which is turned by the shaft in o 'icning and closing the sliding valves Ill and 32 in the 'llues l0 and 11, and on one end of the shaft 46, is a crank disk $55) by which the mushroom or air damper valves 28 and 29 are operated in opening and closing.

Mounted at one end and on. opposite sides of the base; 42 are brackets forming pivot hearings 68, 69 for the bell cranks 70 and 71 ous valves are erectei'l is a platform '72 supporting a series of sets of bearing stands 73, 74. 75, 78 these setsotstands being arranged in pairs. Each pair of stunds74-74 and 75-75 (see Figs. 2 and 4) has a bell crank, 77 or 78 pivotally mounted thereon, through which the buckets 62, 04 of the reversing valves are operated, and each pair of stands 73-73 and 76-76 has one. end of one of the lever arms 79 or pivoted thereto, these arms forming connecting" means by which the buckets (ll and. 65 of the reversing valves are opened and closed.

The bell crank 77 and lover arm 80 on the platiorn'i T2 are pivotally connected by means of a connecting rod Sl so as to swing or rock in llfilSOILhfliltlli. bell crank '78 and lever 79 are pivotally connected in a similar manner by a connecting rod- 8" By conhurting the bell crank 77 with the lever arm 80 and the bell crank 78 with the lever arm 79 in this manner, the gas valve bucket (it closes when the valve bucket 65 opens and vice versa, and the combustion valve bucket 61 opens when the combustion valve bucket 62 closes and closes when the bucket 62 opens. The outer end of the arm 83 of the bell crank 77 is operatively connected by a reach rod 81 to the crank 60 on the crank shaft 46 and the outer end of the arm 85 of the bell crank 78 is connected by a similar connecting rod 86 to the pin of the crank 63 on the crank shaft 46. The cranks 60 and (33 are located on the shaft 46 in the same plane so that both cranks are either in extreme low position, or extreme high position. One arm 87 of the bell crank on one end of the base 42 is operatively connected to the crank pin 88 on the crank disk I 89 forming part of the crank shaft by means of a connecting rod' 90. The arms 87 and 91 of the bell cranks 70, 71 are connected togetluer by a rod 92 so as to always swing or rock the bell cranks in unison when the crank shaft 46 is oscillated or rotated.

The bell cranks 70, 71 located above the charging floor and the other bell cranks 77, 78 and also the lever arms 79, beneath the charging floor 10 are ad justably secured to one end of the flexible connections leading to the gas, combustion or air valve operated by each of the respective hell cranks and 1m ers as will be explained. The arms of the bell cranks 70 and 71 operating the air valves 28, 29 are hollow or recessed and mounted in the recess 93 of these arms,

which forms a. track, is a wheeled trolley (see Figs. 12 and 13). These trolleys comprise a threaded nut 94 througl'i which an adjusting screw 95 extends and formed integrally on opposite sides of the nuts are stub shafts or trunnions upon which wheels or rollers 97, 97 are rotatably secured. lt'lkalnted on each trunnion between each whecl 97 and the adjacent side of the nut 91 is a bar or plate 98 having a hole therein through which a trunnion of the nut 94. extends. The opposite end of the plates 98 are secured to a separator block 99 by bolts 100, this separator having a longitu dinal opening by which one end of a rope, cable or like flexible member is secured to the trolley. The adjusting screws 95 in the nuts 91 extend outwardly through an opening in the outer end of the arm 70 or 71 and through a swivel support 101 which is secured in the openings therefor in the lugs 102, 102 on tl'u outer end of the arms 70 and 71. The outer end of the adjusting screw 95 is provided with hand wheels 103 or 104 by which the screws are turned in moving the nuts 94 lengthwise in the recess in the arms 70 or 71. It should be noted that the trolleys are movable lengthwise within the recess of the hollow arms of these bell cranks into a position in which the axial center of the wheels 97 on the trolley are in alinement with the center of the pivotal axis of the bell cranks 70, or 71, of which the trolley is provided which travels each within the recess of its arm to change the length or radius of the arc of angular movement of the trolley. The trolleys are each connected by one end to a flexible connection by which the valve buckets are moved.

The trolleys within the hollow arms of the bell cranks 77, 78 and hollow levers 79, 80 consists of a pin or shaft 111 secured in the lower end of the screw threaded adjusting rods 106 and 107, 108 and 109 and on each of the projecting ends of the pins 111 is a wheel or roller 112.

Straps 113, 113 having holes through which the pins project, are provided between each wheel 112 and the adjacent side of the boss on the end 108, 109 and these straps project through,the open side of the recessed or hollow arnfs 77, 78, 79 and 80 and have a thimble thereon to which is fastened one end of one of the flexible members connecting the trolleys and the reversing valve buckets. The screw threaded upper ends of the adjusting screws 106, 107, 108, 109 project upwardly through slots or openings in the'floor of the charging platform 40, through one of the hollow stands 110, and through a flanged internally threaded nut 114 which is rotatably secured to a swivel pin 115 extending through the pairs of lugs or ears 116 on the to of each of the stands 110. A hand wheel 117, 118, 119 or 120 .which is keyed or otherwise fastened to each of the flanged nuts 114 provides a convenient means for turning the nuts in raising and lowering the screws lengthwise to adjust the position of the trolleys on the lower end of the rods 106, 107, 108 or 109 toward and away from the pivotal axis of its arm 78, 79, 80 or 811 The trolley in the hollow arm of the bell crank 77 (to the left of the center of the drawing in 2 and 4) is connected to one end of a rope or other flexible connection 121 which passes over the sheave wheel 122 that is suspended by a bracket 123 from the charging flhorAO, this flexible connection being secured by its other end tothe lifting bucket 64 of the gas valve and the trolley in the hollowlever arm 79 (also on the left in Figs. 2 and 4) is connected to one end of a similar flexible connection 124 which passes over a sheave wheel 125 suspended by the bracket 126 from the charging floor, this flexible connection 124 being attached by its other end to the valve bucket 61 of the combustion valve at this end of the furof the rods 106, 107, I

cranks 70 and 71 and, in the recess 95 of each of the hollow arms or levers 77 78, 79, 80, a,

nace. The trolley in the hollow arm of the bell crank 78 (to the right in Figs. 2 and 4) is likewise connected. to one end of a flexible connection 127, which, after passing over the sheave wheel 131 which is suspended from the charging floor by a-bracket 129, is connected at .its other end to the bucket 62- forming the stackvalve and the trolley for the hollow lever or arm 80 is fastened to one end of a flexible connection 130 which passes over the suspended sheave wheel 128 and is secured by its other end to the bucket 65 forming the gas valve for this end of the furnace. The trolley on the hollow arm of the bell crank 70 is operatively connected to one end of a rope or flexible connection 132.

- This ropeextends downwardly and after passing over the sheave wheels 133 and 131 which are pivotally mounted on the bracket 135 suspended'from the charging floor 40, is attached by its other end to the mushroom valve 28. The trolley in the hollow arm of the bell crank 71 is likewise connected to one end of a flexible connection 136 which extends downwardly, then passes overthe jshea've wheels 133, 131 suspended from the floor 10 by the bracket 13? and is fastened by its other end to the other mushroom air valve 29. 1

Secured between the under side of the furnace charging platform and the floor of the pit beneath this floor-are horizontally extending girders forming stationary supports 138, and 139 and rotatably mounted on one end of each of these'supports is a pair of sheave wheels 1 10, 141, or 142, 143-. On the opposite endof each support 138 and'139 is a rotating rope drum 141 or 145.

Fastened by one end to the underside of.

the floor, of the charging platform 40 are ropes or cables H6 and 117 each of v hich extends downwardly and, after passi 1g un dcr its sheave 'whecl 111 or 142-0n the support 138 or is wrapped around the grooved drum 141 or 145 and is fastened thereto by its other end. Also fixed by one end to the grooved drums 1'14, 145 are ropes 148 and 14!) which, aftcrbcing wound or wrapped'around the drum (in the reverse direction to that of the rope 146 or 147) passes over the sheave wheel 142 6' 113 and .then extends downwardly and is fastened by one end to one or the other of the two damper valves 31, 32 by which the How of burned gases or products of combustion from --the air rcgenerators 1 and 5 through the "stackjiue 14 to the stack 15 is regulated and shut Secured by one end to the double groove sheave wheel 66 on the shaft 46 of the re versing gear are ropes 1 50 and 151 each of which. passes o er the id r sheave 'wheels 152 on the floor .10 and then er tends downwardly and then upwardly so as to for-1. a loop, these ropes being secured by one end to one or the other of the rope drums 153 which form part of the adjusting mechanism located on the charging floor 40 for the damper valves 31, 32. i

The-drums 153 are rotatably mounted each on a shaft 154, (see Fig. 14) carried in bearings 155 on each. of the stands and each drum has a spur gear 161 formed integrally on one end thereof and meshing with a spur pinion 162 in the stands 160', these spur pinions 162 being mounted on an idler'shaft 16 5. Formed integrally with or otherwise secured to the pinions 162 is aspur gear 161 which-meshes with a spur pinion 165 which is keyed on the shaft 151 so as. to be rotated thereby. A ratchet wheel 166 on the shaft 154 and a pawl 167 on the side of the stands 160 co-act to hold the drum 153, and connecting gears against rotation and each of the shafts 15 1 which project through one of the bearings 155 to the. outside of the stands 160, is provided on its screw threaded outer end, with a hand wheel 169 or 170 for moving the friction disk 171, which is keyed on each shaft 151 into and out of frictional engagement with the friction disk 168 forming part of each ratchet wheel 166.

Suspended within the loops formed by the hanging strands of rope 150, 151 are the vertically movable floating sheave mechanisms, by which the lifting movement of the valves 31 and is varied to lessen or to increase the extent of opening movement of these valves. Each of the two floating sheave mechanisms Fig. 15 is provided with a suspension sheave wheel 172- which engages with the loop of one or the other of the two 111621115 of a pin or stub shaft 174 is a second sheave wheel 175 which is arranged to en gage with the rope 148 or 149 extending between the drum 144 and opposite sheave wheel 140 and 142 on the horizontal sup ports 11-58, 1 :55). Also secured by a pin or stair shaft 174, on the opposite side of. each iage. 173 is another sheave wheel 176 irhieh operatively engages with the other rope H6 or'147 on the respective supports 138 and 139, which rope extends between the drums 141 and the sheave wheel 141 or 143 on its support 138 or 139.

The mechanism for operating in this floating sheave mechanism and conneclions (an be applied to any of the-several valves in operating the valves in lieu of the otln-r \'al\'e lifting mechanism shown. In other words the lifting mechanism for the the valve is the same as that for the valve 32 and rain-s 351 and applicable for use in actuating the vain-s (31, 62, 64, 65 or the valves 2%, a!) when desired. Adjustably secured on the periphery of the crank disk 89 of the reversing mechanism is a cam surface 177 forming stop. This stop 177 is arranged, when the crank shaft :16 on disk 8}) is mounted reaches its stopping positions, to engage alternately, (depending upon the direction of rotation) with the end 178 or 179 of one'of the levers 180, 181 forming, part of the quick-break switches 182 and 183 mounted on one side of the stand 43 of the reversing mechanism below the crank disk 89. When the anti-friction roller 181 011 the ends 178, or 179 of the lovers 180 and 181 are engaged by the cam surface 177 the other end of the lever 180 or 181 is lifted so as to break the connection between the con tacts 185 and 186, or contacts 18"- and 183, as the case may be, and as these contacts are in the circuits leading from a source of elec tric current, through a hand operated controller to the driving motor 55, when the ends- 178 or 179 of the levers are engaged by the cam surface 17?, the-circuit is broken and remains broken until the lever is again disengaged from the cam surface 1T7.

1n the operation of our improved apparatus the flexible c nm-ctions to the various valves are first adjusted to length and secured in adjusted position so that when the operating mechanism is at rest in one extreme position or the other the series of valves will be properly in open or closed position. Assumin; that the furnace is in operating condition, the counterweighted stack damper 30 is or will have been adjusted intoposition to create and maintain the right amount of draft through the furnace and over the furnacc hearth under normal conditions. The valves are shown in the drawings in the position in which they are placed for supplying gas and air to the regcncrators 2 and 3 on the left hand side of Figs. 1 and "2 and for conducting the burned gases or products of combustion from the furnace through the regencrators 1 and 5 at the right hand side of the furnace. Stated in another way both of the rcgcnerators on the right hand side of the furnace, in Figs. 1 and 2, are being heated by the products of comhusion passing therethrough from the furnace hearth to the stack, while in the. same time interval, the rcgcnerators on the left hand side of these figures are being employed to heat the incoming fuel gas and air in their passage thcrethrough into the furnace in which they are mixed and. burned. "hen the draft on the furnace requires changing, the stack' v 'hich the crank or desirable to increase or decrease the volume of air passing through the air damper 'alves into the air regeneiators within a given time interval, the mushroom valves 28 and 29 will be raised or lowered by turning the hand wheels 103 or 104 on the arms of the bell cranks and 71 which moves the trolley in the hollow arm and raises or lowers the mushroom valves 28 and 29 depending upon the direction in which the hand wheels areturned. W hen the trolley is moved toward the pivotal center of the arm, the arc of angular movement of the trolley is lessened and when moved toward the swinging end of the arm the arc of angular movement of the trolley is increased so that it is made possible to vary the lifting movement of the valves from the maximum stroke to zero. To vary the amount of draft through the air regencrators relative to that through the gas rcgenerators in the regenerators then being heated by the passage of the products of combustion thcrcthrough, the hand wheel 169 or 170 is turned to change the relative lengths of the loops in the ropes 150. 151 supporting the floating sheaves 172 and by increasing the length of these loops. the sliding damper alves 31 or 32 on the end of the ropes are lowered. Shortening the length of the loop in the rope 150 or 151 by turning the hand wheels 169 and 170 in the opposite direction lifts the dan'ipcr valve and results inan increase in the draft through the regencrators. In all cases, in reversing the furnace the valves will move sufficiently to come into closing position.

The gas valve bucket-s (it and (i5 or c l1 narily will be adjusted to full open position but when it is desired to lessen the volume of the column of gases passing to the gas regenerators, the hand wheel 117 or 1131s turned to lift or raise the rope carrier in the hollow arm of the bell crank 77 or lever arm 80. which movement shortens the radius of the arc movement of the rope carrier and lessons the stroke of the gas valve bucket 64 or 5 in the valve casings. As the extreme downward position of the valve buckets is such as to always closethe valves, a slight difference in the length of the stroke of the rope carrier results in lessening the opening movement and thereby lessens the area of the passage when the bucket is in open position. The. extent of'movemcnt of the valve buckets 4 and (35 is lessened to the desired extent and even to zero in the same manner as heretofore described in connection with the mushroom valves .28 and 29. The combustion valve buckets 1 and (32 are moved and the stroke thereof is varied in the same manner, by adjusting the carrier in the hollow lever arm 7! and bell crank through the medium of the hand wheels 11? and 118. The l'opc carriers can be moved within the hollow arms on the pivotal center of these arms and when in this position the swinging movement of the arms and bell cranks will not move the carriers and ropes connectedtliereto. In such cases, there will not be any lifting movement of the valves whatever. \Vhen the furnace is reversed to change the direction offlow of air and gases through the furnace, the controller completing the circuit to the motor 55 is placed in closed position to operate the reversing motor in the right direction.

The Safety switches 182, 183 will act to prevent themotor turningjn the wrong direction as the circuit last used in driving the motor remains open owing to the cam surface 177 on the crank disk 89 being in lifting engagement with one or the other of' .terval) until the motor iscaused to rotate in the opposite direction, by manually throwing the controller into the reverse position. The cranks,'60, 63, worm wheel 53 and the rope sheave wheel 62 are made of sullicicnt size to make one half of -a complete revo lution of the shaft 46 sutlicient to move the valves,- through their maximum lifting movementin opening and closing the valves, and'lhe adjusting mechanism enables a vari-. able opening movement of the valves to be obtained with a constant stroke of the valve revei'sing mechanism. lVhen the crank shaft 46 has moved to its extreme position in one direction from its extreme position in the opposite direction the combustion valve (32 and stack valve 32-on.one (the right hand end) of the furnace will be closed and the air valve 29 and gas valve 65 on tins end of the forum-e will open. Simultaneously with the closing movement of the combustion valve and stack valve and opening, movement of the air and gas valves, the Combustion valve ill and stark valve 31 on the other end of the furnace will open and the gas valve Gland air valve 28 will close, so that all of the valves are simultaneously manipulated and the reversal of the furnace is thereby effected mechanically by starting the drivingmotor 55 in operation. When the furnace is next reversndvthe controller is moved manually to complete the circuit through the motor and through the switch 183 which is now closed. The above described operations are then repeated but in the opposite direction to reverse the furnace"' when the motor is caused to move the reversing mechanism in'the opposite direction.

Adjustment of the various valves is made from time to time as found necessary by turning the adjusting hand wheel operatively connected to the operating mecha-' nism it: each of the series of valves.

The advantages of our invention will be appreciated by those skilled in the art to which our invention relates. Instead of moving successively the valves are all simultaneously moved im-clnu-i'hallv into open and closed positions to reverse the flow of air and gas through the furnace and the possibility of accidents or delays due to setting the valves improperly is avoided and pre- The necessity of operating the vented. valves manually and the loss of time occasioned thereby are overcome. The ratus is simple, is readily repaired in case of need and is easily and cheaply maintained in operating condition.

Modifications in the construction and arrangement of the parts may he made without departing from our invention The apparatus is adapted for use in manipulating a portion only of the valves. The adjusting I mechanism whereby the stroke or opening I and closing movements of the valves is varied is applicable to a single valve; The

relative location of the -parts may, be

changed and other variations .in the eonstruction may be made within tlhescope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A furnace valve operating mechanism a valve, a rocking arm, means io'r'actuating said arm, and flexible means connecting the valve to the rocking arm, said means being adjustable on the arm to vary the openingmovement of said ,valve from zero as amusimum.

2. A furnace valve operating '1uecl1anism comprising a plurality of arms, means for sinmltaneously actuating said arms, and means connecting the valves to the arms, said connecting means being independently adjustable to vary the extent of movement .of said valves from zero to a. maximum.

3.'A furnace valve operatiingmechanism comprising a plurality of pairs of valves,

swinging arms for actuating the valves, means connecting the valves to the swinging arms, said means being adjustable on the arms to vary the extent of movement of the valves from zero to a maximum and means for simultaneously swinging said arms to move the valves in opening and closing.

4. A furnace valve operating nzea'fhanism comprising valves, rocking armsfor actuating said valves, means operatively connecting t-he arms to the. valves, a shaft for valves, rocking has rocking said arms, a worm Wheel on the shaft, a worm for. actuating the worm wheel,

operatively connected to the swinging arm,

a worm wheel on the shaft, a worm for actuating the worm wheeha .motor for actuating the said worm and means for 'auto matically stopping the motor after a predetermined amount of travel of said valve.

6. A furn'ace 'valve operatingmechanism comprising reversing valves, swinging arms for actuating said valves, means for connecting the valves to the arms, means for actuating said arms to simultaneously move the valves, and means for independently ad'- justing the valve connection on each arm to vary the relative movement of the valves, said adjusting means being adapted to regu? late the movement ofthe valves from zero to amaximum,

7. A valve-operating mechanism comprising a base, having shaft bearings thereon, a

crank shaft mounted in said bearings, said shaft having a plurality of cranks, and a crank disk thereon, a shaft driving motor, a worm and worm Whecloperatively connecting the motor and crankshaft, swinging arms Eperatively connected 'to the cranks,

and the crank disk, flexible eonnections securing a valve to each of said swinging arms, and means connecting the arms in pairs whereby the arms are actuated s multaneously to move the valves in opposite directions in opening and closin 8. A valve operating mechanism comp-rising a base, having shaft bearings'thereon a crank shaft mounted in said bearings, said shaft havinga plurality of cranks, and a crank disk thereon, a shaft driving motor, a Worm and worm wheel operatively connecting the motor and crank shaft, swinging arm's operatively connected to the cranks on v said shaft and crank disk, flexible connections securing a valve to each of said swingwhereby the valves are moved simultaneously 'nd in opposite directions 1n 'openu ig and dosing and means for ad usting said flexibl connections on said arms to vary the extent of movement of the valves attached hereto.

9. A: valve operating mechanism comprising a base, having shaft bearings thereon, a crankshaft mounted in said bearings, said shaft having a plurality of cranks, a crank disk and a double groove sheave wheel theremg arms, means connecting the arms in pairson, a shaft driving motor and a worm and worm wheel operatively connecting the motor and crank shaft, swinging arrns'operatirely connected. to the cranks, and crank disk, flexible connections securing a valve to each of said swinging arms, and to each V groove of the sheave wheel and means'for crank disk and a double groove sheave wheelthereon, a shaft driving motor and a. worm and worm wheel operatively connecting the motor and crank shaft, swinging arms operatively connected to the cranks, and crank disk, flexible connections securing a valve to each of said swinging arms, and to eaclr groove of the sheave wheel, and means for independently adjusting said flexible connections to vary the extentof movement of the valves attached thereto.

11. In a furnace valve operating mechanism the combination of a flexible connectionfixed at one end and having a valve suspended from the other, means for form in a loop in said flexible connection to thereby lift the valve suspended therefrom, and means for changing the length of the loop to vary the lifting movement of the I i 12. A valve operatingmechanism comprising a pair of fixed pulleys, a pair of fixed drums, a flexible connection extending-from one drum over one1of said pulleys, a second flexible connection extending from the other .druui under the other pulley, and

- having its cnd fixed above the pulley, the

end of the flexible connection extending over the one pulley having a valve sus' pended therefrom, a movable. carrier having pulleys thereon arranged to engage said flexible connections between the fixed pulleys and drums and means for lifting the carrier and to form loops in said flexible connections and thereby rotatesaid drums and lift said valve.

'13. A valve operating mechanism comprising a. pair of fixed pulleys, 'a pair of fixed drums, a flexible connection extending from one drum over one of said pulleys, a

second flexible connect on extending fromthe other drmn under the other pulley and having its end in fixed position above the pulley, the end of the flexible connection extending over the one pulley having a valve Suspended therefrom, a movable carrier having pulleys thereon arranged to engage said flexible connections between the fixed pulleys and drums and means for lifting the carrier to form loops in said connections and thereby rotate said drums and lift said valve, said lifting means being adjustable to vary the extentof lifting movement of said valve.

H. A valve operating mechanism com-' prising a pair of fixed pulleys, a pair of fixed rope drums, a rope extending from one drum over one of said pulleys, a second rope extending from the other drum under the other pulley, and having one end secured in fixed position above the pulley, the end of the rope extending over one pulley having a valve suspended therefrom, and a movable carrier having means thereon arranged to engage said ropes between the pulleys and drums, a rope having a 100) therein from which the carrier is suspen ed, and means on one end of said looped rope for moving the rope to shorten the loop therein and thereby lift the alve.

'15. A valve operating mechanism comprising a pair of fixed pulleys, a pair of lixed rope drums, a rope extending from one lrum over one of said pulleys, a second rope :Xtcnding from the other drum under the )ther pulley and having one end adjustably secured in a stationary position above the )ulley', the end of the rope extending over he one pulley having a valve suspended herefrom. and a movable carrier having iulleys lhcreon arranged to engage said opes between the fixed pulleys and drums, 4 rope having a loop therein from which he carrier is suspended, means on one end t said looped rope for moving the rope to liorten the loop therein and thereby lift the alve, and means on the other end of said ope to shorten and lengthen the loop to, ary the extent of lifting movement of said alve.

1(3. A furnace valve operating mechanism anprising a series of val-res, a rocking arm )1 actuating each of said valves, means op- 'alively connecting the arms to the valves, shaft for rocking said arms in unison, aorm wheel on the shaft, a worn: for actuing the worm wheel and shaft, a motor r actuating the worm, means connecting e arms for actuating said arms simultanesly and in opposite directions in opening .11 closing the valves, and switches formg means for stopping the motor at the end the opening and closing movement of said lves, said switches being arranged to autoit-ically set in stopping the motor to re rse the direction of rotatiomof said motor \en again started. i7. A furnace valve operating mechanism uprising av valve, a swinging arm adjustiy connected to said valve, a crank shaft :ratively connected to the swinging arm, :orn'i wheel on the shaft, a worm for actuag the worm wheel, a motor for actuating d worm, and means for stopping the tor after a predetermined amount of rel, said means including switches arged to automatically set iii stopping the motorto reverse the direction of rotation of the motor when again started.

18. A furnace valve operating mechanian, comprising a valve, a rocking arm, means for actuating said arm, and flexible. means connecting the valveto the rocking arm, said means being adjustable on the arm to vary the operative movement of said connecting means and valve in opening the valve from zero to a maximum.

19. A furnace valve operating mechanism comprising a valve, a rocking arm, means for actuating said arm, flexible means connecting the valve to said rocking arm, said means being adjustable on they armto vary the opening movement of said valve, and

means on said arm for adjusting the valve connecting means thereon to vary the lifting movement of the .valve connecting means and valve from zero to a maximum.

20. A furnace valve operating mechanism comprising a plurality of valves, rocking arms, means for simultaneously actuating said arms, and means connecting the valves ,to the arms, said connecting means being independently adjustable to vary the extent of movement of the connecting means and valves from zero to a maximum.

21. A furnace valve operating mechanism comprising a plurality of.pairs of valves, separate swinging arms for actuating'the valves. means connecting each valve to its swinging arm, said means being adjustable on the arms to vary the extent of lifting movement of the valves from zero to a maximum, and means for simultaneously swing ing said. arms to move the valves in opening and closing. 4

22. A furnace valve operating mechanism, comprising a plurality of pairs of'valves, separate swinging arms for actuating the valves, means connecting each valve to its swinging arm, said means being arranged to vary the extent of movement of the valves from zero to a maximum, means for simultaneously swinging said arms to move the valves in opening and closing the valves, and means connecting the valves in pairs whereby one valve in each pair is opened when the other is closed.

23. "A furnace valve operating mechanism comprising valves, rocking arms for actuating said valves. means operatively connecting the arms to the valves, a shaft for rocking said arms, a worm wheel on the shaft, a worm for actuating the worm wheel, a inotor for actuating the worm, means connecting the arms for actuating the worm, means connecting the arms for actuating said arms simultaneously and in opposite directions in opening and closing the valves, and means for automatically stopping said motor when the valves moving into closed position reach such closing position,

2%. A furnace valve operating mechanism comprising valves, rocking arms for aetuatmg said valves, means operatively connectmg the arms to the valves, a shaft for rock:

-ing'snid arms, a \vorn'1 wheel on the shaft,

said arms simultaneously and in opposite directions in opening and elosing the valves,

means for automatically stopping said motor when the valves moving into closed position reach such closing position, and means for mechanically reversing the direetion of: rotation of the motor each time the motor is stopped.

25. A furnaee'valve operating mechanism comprising reversing valves. separate swinging arms for actuating said valves, means for connecting eaeh' valve to its arm, means for actuating said arms to silmiltanenusly move the valves, and means for indepen ently adjusting the valve eonneetion on em arm to vary the relative movement of t. valves,-said'adjusting means being adapt to regulate the movement of the valves fro zero to a maximum.

26. In a valve operating mechanism combination of a flexible connection fix on one 'end and having a valve suspend from the. otheiyamln ".ans for shortenh said flexible emmeetion to therelrv move 13 valve on the end thereof; said means bei adjustable to vary the extent of lifti' movement of the flexible eonneetion.

In testimony \vhereofi, we have herein set our hands.

" LOUIS C. EDGAR ADOLF iSUTER. \Vitnesses:

Aumn'r J. Liumomau, Jannzs S. Scnwi-axmano. 

